Machine for removing metallic elements from flexible strips



Oct; 7, 1952 w. R. MODANIEL.

MACHINE FOR REMOVING METALLIC ELEMENTS FROM FLEXIBLE STRIPS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1950 INVENTOR. MAL/AM R. MCDANIEL ATTORNEYS.

N mm

Oct. 7, 1952 w. R. M DANIEL v MACHINE FOR REMOVING METALLIC ELEMENTS FROM FLEXIBLE STRIPS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1950 INVENTORJV R. M: DA 5!- 5 MLLIAM I ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 7, 1952 w. R. M DANlEL MACHINE FOR REMOVING METALLIC ELEMENTS FROM FLEXIBLE STRIPS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 25, 1950 III VIII/I ll/II INVENTOR.

mm m M mm C VA. Mf R fl Mfl/W m L n m M DANIEL MACHINE FOR REMOVING METALLIC ELEMENTS FROM FLEXIBLE STRIPS Oct. 7, 1952 Filed Sept. 25, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Mum/ 1 R. M'c DANIEL ATTORNEYS.

BY- 4 a Patented Oct. 7, 1952 MACHINE FOR REMOVING METALLIC ELE- MENTS FROM FLEXIBLE STRIPS William R. McDaniel, Englewood, Tenn.

Application September 25, 1950, Serial No. 186,579 14 Claims. (01. 164-42) This invention relates to cutting machines and more specifically to machines for automatically cutting off and removing a portion of an associated group of metallic or similar elements carried by a fabric or like strip, then removing the remainder of the severed elements, but leaving others of the elements still carried by the strip, and then severing the strip at a location where the elements had been removed. An example of such a machine is on constructed and arranged to cut off and remove a plurality of the metal teethor slide fastener elements of a length of so-called slide fastener tape, so as to leave a space, free of the teeth or elements longitudinally of the tape, and then sever the tape at this space. i

An important object of the invention is to provide a machine to automatically out off and remove a portion of a length of metallic or like material projecting outwardly of the plane or planes of the faces of a fabric orlike strip, by which strip the length is carried, and then sever the strip at the space provided by cuttingoif and removing this portion of material. Such a machine will enable users who require various lengths or sections of slide fastener tape to pre pare their specific length of tape sections from a roll or lik arrangement of slide fastener tape, rather than stock a plurality of preprepared lengths of tape. At times, a numberjof these preprepared and stocked lengths are not used, because of changes in the design of clothing, for example, and these surplus lengths may become a stock loss. Such a loss will not occur if the required sections are prepared as needed.

Another important objectbofthe invention is to provide a machine as described which may be readily adjusted so that the distances between successive sections of thelengths of themetallic or like elements cut and removed may be varied to suit specific conditions and, at the same time, the lengths of the cut off tape may be correspondingly varied.

While slide fastener tape has been proposed as provided in elongated strips and comprising a plurality of predetermined spaced-apart series of slide elements disposed on a fabric strip or tape, each series is of equal length and, thus, the user who desires to employ various lengths must stock a plurality of such elongated strips and may find, after a time, changes in garments. for example, employing such lengths, entailsdiscarding these elongated strips and they, too, be-

comeastockloss. I g

Reducing, by hand, the length of a specificlength strip in order to adapt it for use where a lesser length is required is a laborious operation but, with the use of the machine herein disclosed, the operator may quickly set the machine to prep-are a required length of tape and have it prepared in a fraction of the time a hand-altered length of tape can be prepared.

The loss sustained in the cutting and removal of the fastener element from a roll, for example, of tape containing an unbroken length of fastener elements, is negligible, since such roll can be manufactured at a considerable saving over the cost of manufacture of a roll of like length containing spaced-apart series of slide fasteners.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a novel means for cutting or severing separable fastener elements or the like, attached to a tape or thelike.

Another important object is to provide, in conjunction therewith, means to operate the elements cutting or severing means of the machine and dislodge any severed elements or the like lodged in the cutting and severing means.

In addition, another important object is to provide means to. remove the cut or severed fastener elements or the like from the tape or the like.

A further important object is to prevent the last-named means from removing or damaging unsevered fastener elements or the like carried by the tape or its equivalent.

Furthermore, a major object is to provide means to draw through the new machines, the material to be acted upon, and which means also retains the material taut during final severing thereof at the space or area freed of the separable fastener elements or the like.

Another important object of the invention is to provide means, cooperating with the lastnamed means to grip the outer end of the material, so it will be held taut during final severing and then release the severed material sections in position todrop into a suitable container.

. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of th following. detailed description of the inventiomtaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this'disclosure, and in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is anelevation of what will be termed, hereinafter, the controls side of the new machine. l l

i Fig. 2 is a top plan, of the new machine.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of what will be termed, hereinafter, the shaft side of the same.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, substantially on the line ll of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section, also on an enlarged scale, substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section along the lines of that of Figure l but extending farther to the right of Figure 4, showing parts of fastener elements severing and dislodging means, in positions different than that of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a view Of the front or discharge end elevation of the new machine, with parts broken away to better illustrate portions of the construction.

Fig. 8 is a greatly enlarged view of the cutting devices of Fig. 6 associated with material in place to be acted upon thereby.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the material, after being acted upon by the means of Fig. 8.

and a portion of the means of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a view of the peripheral face of a pattern drum, partly broken away in order to show structure within the drum body.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevation of a cutting means control associated with the pattern drum.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective of certain control means for the means to render the material taut preparatory to severing.

Fig. 13 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, substantially on the line iii-53 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the latter A designates material to be modified or prepared by the new machine, which latter is designated generally as B, while the letter C designates the material as modified by the new machine B.

For the purpose of illustration the material A may be a conventional separable fastener assembly comprising two flexible parallel strips of fabric, bb and co, each disposed in substantially the same plane and each detachably interconnected at their facing edges by conventional metallic separable fastener elements aa, arranged in continuous lengths longitudinally of the strips. Such fastener elements are generally conventionally crimped, at their inner end portions to hems or enlarged edge portions of the strips, and thus extend outwardly of the planes of the side faces of the strips to which they are secured. Thus, the separable fastener assembly differs materially from a substantially'flat strip or ribbon of material, which has no protuberances, such as the fastener elements. It is proposed that the assembly be provided in considerable length and may be rolled up into a roll convenient for handling.

The new machine B, comprises a support portion D; drive means E; operative connection F between the drive means E and a pattern drum Q of the machine; separable fastener elements severing and fragment removing means G; guide means H to guide the material A to a position to be acted upon or modified by the means G; beater means K to clear the modified material C of any remaining severed separable fastener elements; path-changing means L for the modified material; modified material moving and gripping means M; modified material shearing or severing means N; auxiliary modified material gripping means P; pattern drum Q; combined control means R for the means G, L, M, N and P; means S to control the operation of the pattern drum; auxiliary guide means T for the strip material A two leg portions with pointed feet pressed into the fabric strips bb or cc as the case may be.

This is a conventional way so-called separable or slide fastener elements are attached to the fabric strips of slide fastener tapes or strips.

Referringmainly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the support portion D of the new machine B, includes a suitable number (as four) legs it! which, because of the plurality of motions necessary to provide the material C and sever it into suitable lengths, are preferably provided with feet -li, carrying means it, as conventional bolt and nut assemblies, to secure the support portion D to a suitable base (not shown but which may be a conventional work bench), so that the machine, as a whole, will not rock.

The legs It extend downwardly from a base plate i3 which is preferably provided with a downwardly-extending side flange M, which may be termed the shaft-side flange, asimilar, parallel side flange [5, which may be called the controls side flange, a downwardly extending end flange 16 which may be designated as the rear end flange, and a like flange ll, parallel therewith, which may be termed the forward end flange.

Extending, as from the flange M are horizontal bearings it; for the shaft 20 to be next described.

Drive means E preferably includes a horizontally-disposed shaft 20, rotatably carried by the bearings lil, provided with a driven pulley 2| at its rear end portionya worm 22 intermediate its end portions, and shown in Fig. 3, a first bevel gear 23 at its forward end portion, and a second bevel gear 24 spaced from and between the worm 22 and gear 23, all being fixed to the shaft 20 to rotate therewith but may be provided with conventional means to permit their removalfrom the shaft 20, such as set screws, extending through the hubs of the pulley, worms and bevel gear, and bearing against the shaft. The hubs may be conventionally disposed with reference to the bearings i8 so as to prevent longitudinal shifting'of the shaft. 28.

From the pulley?! extends a suitable endless belt 25 to the drive pulley 26 of, for example, a conventional electric motor 2'! which latter may be-mounted upon the base plate l3 adjacent the flange it;

There is provided a single operative connection means F between the drive means E and the separable fastener elements removing means G and the pattern drum Q, and the means F includes a Worm Wheel 30, detachably secured to a crank shaft 3! extending above and transversely of the base plate [3. This connection may be a set screw 32 extending through the hub of the wheel and bearing on one straight end portion 33 of the crank shaft;

The crank shaft 3| is rotatably carried by spaced-apart bearings 34 mounted upon standards 35 carried by the base plate 13, and the opposite straight end portion of the crank shaft 3icarries a spur gear 36 of a less diameter than that "of the worm wheel 30. For example, the

ratio may be 1:5.

The crank pin portion 31 of the crank shaft 3| is' o'peratively associated with. the means G, next to be described, and the gear 36 is .operatively the pivot pin. 4| and carrying nuts 43 and 44 disposed to'either side of the pin 4|, as in Fig. 6.

The pivot pin 4| extends through the bifurcated upper end portion 45 of a rocker arm 46, while the opposite or lower end portion 41 of this arm (as shown in Fig. 4) has an offset portion'48 (which may form substantially a rightangle with; the rest of the rocker arm) rotatably carrying aof i roller 49 with "its axis, of course, transversely the longitudinal axis of the bed plate.

This lower end portion 41 is eccentrically.

mounted upon a shaft 50 which is rotatably. carriedby the bearings 45: of spaced-apart stand ards 46a.

Pivotally supportedat itsrear end, as by'the standards 35, and slightly above the bed plate, is abuttrs-carrying or knives-carrying arm =5| which extendsforwardly and isbest shown .in

Figs. 3, 4 and 6. Its forward end portionls pro vided with a recessed head 52 and this detachably'carries a pair of suitable spaced apart, vertically-disposed cutters or knives 53, with their upper end portions within the recess of the head and their lower sharpened end portions projecting below the head 52. The knives maybe retained upon the head as-by a suitable screw 54-andspaced by a shimor the like. The lowerend por tion of each knife, adjacent the sharpened-edge 51 has its outer side face bevelled, 'as at 56 and the sharpened edges 51 of the knives extend longitudinally of the bed plate and are spaced apart a distance sufficient to cut through the uppermost legs of the interconnected separable fastener elements ad of the material A intermediate their heads and arms, as may be apprec'iatedfrom Fig. 8. Sufficient of the interconnected portions of the elements aa are severed by the knives to make it easy for the remaining portions of the severed elements as to be subsequently shaken or beaten loose from the fabric strips bb and cc, by the beater means K, particularly since the bevelled faces 56 tend to cant the outer portions of the uppermost elements and thuspull them from the fabric strips bb and co.

I have provided a triple-function means 458- for (1) operatively connecting the arm 5| andthe rocker arm and (2) for removing fragments of fastener elements which may become lodged or wedged between the knives 53 and (3) for functioning as a heater to breakaway any nearly severed separable fasteners. This means 58 includes a downwardly-extending member 59, as a rod, slidable through a downwardly extending opening 60 in the rocker arm 45, intermediate its ends, and which member 59 is providedwith means 6| to limit downward sliding movement thereof with respect to the rocker arm. Such means is shown as screw threads upon the upper end portion of themember and a nut cooperating,

therewith and bearing against-the upper face: of the rocker arm. This, too, provides means for adjustment of the extent the member, 55may' dependfrom the rocker arm. I

The lower end portion of the member 59 is pivotally connected with the rearward endpor-. tionv 62 of an oscillating arm 63, ,with thisendportion and the forward end portion 64 forming,

an obtuse angle. This forward end portion as well as the intermediate portion of the arm -53 extends through an elongated, longitudinally extending slot 65 in the knives-carrying arm.,l5|,,

which slot opens, at its forward end, below the;

head 52, as in Fig. 6. Intermediate its ends, the oscillating arm 63 carries a Divot pin SGwhich pivotally projects into suitable axial alignin openingsin the arm 5| Fig. 4)

, The forward .(one being shownin.

end portion 54 the arm:

extends into the space between the knives 53;.

normally abovetheir lower edges.

The roller. 49 rolls .overthat portion of the upper face of the knives carrying arm .5|| .r.ear., wardly .of. thehead 52 as the .rockenarm 46 changes its position with'respect to the knives-1 carrying arm 5|, Figures 4 and 6.

Means 68 to urge the knives-carrying arm 35L.

as may be seen by comparing:

upwardly may be a leaf spring carried by theibedii plate l3 and projecting from its upper facerand bearing against the under face of the arm 5|.-.1

There is, of course, an up-and-down oscillation of the knives-carrying arm 5| and an up-and-.

the knives 53 to descend and then rise but does not affect the arm 53 until the knives begin to.

down oscillation of the arm 63. The'first causes rise whereupon" the forwardaportion 6410f the arm 53 will descend in the space between the knives, clearing their loweredgesfand then ascend again to the position substantially as shown in Fig. 6. Of course, the descent of the knives severs the separable fastener elements and the descent of the forward portion 64 clears the space between the knives of any fragments of these severed elements whichmight jam this space. The forward end portion 64 also taps the:

materialA at the area of severed elements and tends to break off anypartly cut away element material.

Guide means If is provided to 53. The means comprises two sets of plates, each set preferably consisting of plates 10, Hand 12, as shown in Fig. 8. The plate I0 is longer than the others, is disposed upon "the bedplate l3 and guide the mate rial A into the correct positionunder the knives projects across the bed plate and, above this plate l0,are two plates H with their inner edges" spaced apart a distance very slightly greater than thelengthof two inter-connected separable fas tener elements.

The thickness of eithe'r of the plates H is substantially equal tothe distance the separable fastener elements projectfrom the "faces of their associated tapes. Above escapism 1| is a plate 12 of springy metal, having a. bowed rear edge portion, and the tapes of the material A are adapted to slide between the mnemses; of these plates H and 12, but the separable fastener elements clearthe inner end edges of both plates H and 12. In'order to removablysecure the plates ||l'|2 tothe bed plate l3 and in associated relation, I prefer to providea" pair of screws 13 for each set. These extend through suitable openings in the plate 10-12 and into screw threaded sockets in-the bedplate withtheir heads bearing-uponthe upper face of the plates l2 'which, being bowed as stated, permits a desired frictional gripto-be exerted by theplates-Tland 12 upon the tapes cr me-material A, depending upon the tightening or-looseningof the screwsr Obviously, the material is properly positioned by loosening: the screws -13 and removing-the plates I2, --then =placing thematerial A in position, and

replacing the plates 12 and screws 13.

The beatermeansK- to clear thematerial A of any remaining severed separable fastener ele-' ments (these being mostly severed elements upon-the underside of the tapes) comprises a suitable number, as two, of beater elements 8d such as bladesorvanes, carried by andproject ing-ra'dially froma rotating member 81, asa drumt fixed 'toa shaft 82 which may, beqournalled' in the flanges I4 and I5 so as to project outwardly of the first and fixedly carrywbevel gear: 83 1 meshing In order that the beater. means'K may function properly, the base. plate I3 is provided with a-slot lll extending longitudinally thereof so that the material A may move directly over the. slot Stand portions of it .be in the path of travel of- Asthese elements t8:

the. beater elements 8G.- strike the under side of the material A, they withthe bevel gear Mlof the l driveLmeansE I.

will dislodge the severed separablefastener elementsand they willdrop; through-theslot.

, Associated, with-the beater means. K isithe path-changing meansL for changing the straight longitudinal path of the forwardly-movingmaterial-Aso that the beater elements 80 will strike thennaterial only at that area thereof Where therseparable fastenerelements have been cut and,thus, there will be no damage to the unsevered separable fastener. elements. This means Lis a .preferably; upwardly convex plate 98 disposed quite close. to the means K. and carried by:apairofoscillatingjarms 9|, one being shown in-eFig. 5, which mayextend downwardly; and forwardly and have ashaft 92 carried by bearings 93 (best shown in'Fig, 2) supported by a standard-fixedtd the bed plate I3.

thenew machine 13. Whenin operation, the shaft 92 rotates a part of a complete rotation clockwise (as viewed from this controls side) a and the plate 90 rises, carrying the material: A withit, out of the path of the beater elements 80 for the period in which the material A' containing the unsevered fastener elements ispassing .;over the beater. elements, then the shaft -92 rotates,- a partial complete revolutionanti-clock wisexandthe plate 9i! descends so that the beater elements 80'may function as the material A descends with;- the plate 98.

and paralleling the plate Sit-and carried by spaced-apart armsextending from the plate all. The material C is'threaded between the plate.

90; and member 90 -.Beyond-the means L-is;the material moving One end; portion of the shaft92 extends outwardly .of- OIlGqPOf the bearings toward the controls side of I 'mayprovide a, small arcuate retaining member 98 spaced above:

fastening elements aa, while theperiphery; to; either side of the groove 99 is .adapted:.to;fric+- tionally grip the tapes of the materiaL andoeach roller has a spur: gear I 00:.c0nnected9 therewith at one end ofthe roller, withthe teeth adapted? to mesh as will be described;

The lower roller 95. with its gear lflll isfixedly mounted upon ashaft IOI which. projects therefrom' and fixedly mounts abevel' gearzwheelilfil in mesh with the gear 23 mounted. uponthe';

shaft 2! The shaft Ifll may be journalledgln the sideflanges I4 and. I 5;

Thelo'wer roller 96ihas its shaft I83 also:jour.-- nalled in the flanges I 4 and. I5. and, rotates with. the roller 95' but,. of course, in' the opposite:

direction; I

The upper rollers 97 and 9flieach havegsepa rate shafts I84 and. I.fl5.:respectively;. but these are-carriedbybearings I06 and lil-l which'jares adapted: to rock.;and these bearings are-"secured,

in spaced-apart relationship, to a; support? rod;- ms extending through: vertically-reciprocable; bearing. blocks H39. slidably carried by: suitable:

standards III and I II mounted upon the bed.

plate I33. and the blocks I09. are .urged :doWnwardly bysuitable means, as. expansion" spiral. This construction is provided so;

springs H2. that, asthev bearings. I06 and I6? rock longitudinall; of. the bed plate in one direction the teeth .of the gear I00 associated with the: roller: 91 will operatively mesh with those of gear I80:

associated with roller 95 or, when the bearings IE6 and IE3? rock in the other direction the-teeth of'thegear associated with roller flzlwill-operal tively meshwith the-teeth of the gear, associated: with-roller 96'. Not only willthese changes. take place but, in the first case, therollersi95 and: 91 willgrip the material C and move it forwardly, then there will be a momentary; slackening of... this gripping as, the bearings I96. and

' that of therollers 96. and 98'.

Ill

and positioning means M whichis adapted toadvance-the material A to be acted upon by the. means G,-Kand L. (after acted'upon by the means G and the material A becomes thematerial C of Figure 9), and position it to be properly severed. The means M preferably comprises the rollers-95., 96,- 91 and 98 ofFig. 5, whichare substantially alike. Eachhas an annular grow/e99 intermediate its ends; to receivethat part of thematerial C containing theseparable-v Thesprings; I I2 provide a resilientmeans-for urging the several gears Hill-in mesh, yet cushion themeshing; 1 p

Forwardly of'themeans M is the shearing-or cutting means N" which preferably .includes a;

suitable knife! I5 best-shown in'Fig. 7 and oscil latively mounted at one of its end .portionsupon arpivvot H6 carried by a bracket II'I' preferably supported by a plate -I l8 fixedto the ;outer face of the end flange I I. 1

The knife; I|5' lS-' 13IOVld6d.Wlthaslongitudinally-extending; slot H3 intermediate its end;

but nearer the pivotedend and theuSlOt accominodatesa movable pin-forming partof the knifeoperating means to bessubsequently described; Of course, the-pa-th ofthe' oscillatingjknifeJ I5 is across the material CWhere it extends=-for.--

wardly from between: the rollers and 91-:

Material gripping means P is' provided forgripping the material C when-the -means-N=is functioning to cut the material.

which is adapted to grip the material C and press it tightly against the plate I I8.', v The upper." end portion-of; the jawiscarried by a hori-- 'Ihis-v meanscomprises-a preferably outwardly convex jaw 1201 having a: lowermoststraight lower edge I2 I" 9, zontally-disposed rock shaft I22 journalled in spaced-apart bearings I23 and I24 carried as by the standards I I and III. I

Just as the rollers 96 and 98 begin to en age the material C and rotate with the roller 96 clockwise and the roller 98 anti-clockwise (as viewed from the controls side of the machine), the edge I2I of the jaw I20 grips the material C and the material isthus rendered taut so that the knife II5 can make a clean cut. Thejaw I then pivots upwardly, releasing the severed section ofmaterial C and thebearings I06 and I01 rock forwardly so that the rollers 95 and 91 (the first rotating anti-clockwise while the roller 91 rotates clockwise) grip the material C and project it forwardly.

The pattern drum Q may be of conventional construction, and includes a drum body I mounted for rotation upon a shaft I26 carried by a bracket I21 which may be fixed to the flange I5. To the drum body I25 is detachably secured a gear wheel I28 with its teeth meshing with those of the gear 36 and this wheel I28 is fixed for rotation on the shaft I26. The peripheral portion of the drum body carries a plurality of removable lugs, such as the lugs I29 to I32 inclusive, which function, with the drumsperiphery, as cams, and which may be movedto various positions upon this periphery where they may be fixed, as by screw means I36. They engage various arms, to be described, which arms are associated with the means G, L, M, N and P and actuate these means.

The first lug I29 provides acam surface to cause oscillation of the first of the combined control means R which first includes a substantially L-shaped arm I31, shown in Fig. 11, pivoted adjacent the juncture of its two portions I38 and I39, with the portion I38 extending rearwardly so that its end part is disposed in the path of travel of the lug I29 and the portion I39 extending upwardly where it is pivoted to the rear end portion of a link I40, with the forward end portion pivoted to an arm I4I fixed to the shaft 50 which. shaft eccentrically mounts the lower end portion of the rocker arm 41.of the means G, as stated. A retraction spiral spring I42 connects the intermediate part of the arm portion I39 and the free end portion of the arm I 4 I. As the drum body I25 rotates, the lug I29 will engage the portion I38 of the L-shaped arm I31 and oscillate the arm in one direction causing'partial rotation (about 50 degrees for example) of the shaft 50 and descent of the knives carrying arm 5I so that the knives 53 will cut through the separable fastener elements as described, whereupon the arm portion I38 will rideoff the lug and the arm I31, link I40, spring I42 and arm I4I will rotate the shaft 50 back (as 50 degrees for example) to its original rotative position, I

, Another, as lug I30, actuates a first elongated arm I44, with its rearward end portion carried in a slot of a slideway I45 so that the extremity of this portion is in the pathwayof the lug I30. The forward end portion of the arm I44, ispivotally connected with the upper end portion of an upwardly-extendingarm I46 fixed to a hub I41 rotatably supported from the base plate I3, and

carrying a radially-extending pin I48 extending 10 portion of the arm I44 and at its other end to the base plate I3 normally urges the arm I44 toward the rear. I i

-A third lug I3I, also mounted upon the drums periphery, actuates a second elongated arm I50, with the rearward end portion of the latter slidable within a second slot in the slideway I so that the extremity of this portion will be in the path of travel of the lug I3I. The arm I50 has its forward end portion pivotally connected with ashortarm I5I mounted upon the shaft 92 of the path changing means L. Reciprocation of the arm I50 will oscillate the arm I5I and cause partial rotation of the shaft 92 thus raising and lowering the convex plate 90 of means L. A suitable retraction coil spring I52 attached to the arm I50 and base plate I3 tends to draw the arm I50 rearwardly. H A fourth lug I32, mounted as are the otherlugs, actuates a third elongated arm I53 as well as a shorter arm I54, carried by the arm I53, shown particularly in Fig. 12. These are associated with the means M and P The rearend portion of the arm I53 slides in a thirdslot in the slideway I45 and its extremity is positioned inthe'path of travel of the fourth lug I32, whileth'e forward end portion of the arm I53 is pivotally connected with theupper end portion of an upstanding arm I55 pivotally carried at its lower end portion by the flange I5. Intermediate its end the upstanding arm I55 is provided with a short slot I56 carrying a pivot pin for a crank arm I51 fixed to the free end of the rod I08 of the means'M. The shorter arm I54 is slidably mounted at its rearward end portion upon a bracket I59 upstanding from the third elongated arm I53 and a suitable expansion spiral spring I60 bearing at one end, against an abutment IBI'intermediate the ends of the arm I54 and bearing against the bracket at the other end, urges this arm I54 for-' wardly. The other end portion of the latter is pivoted to a crank I62, carried by the rock shaft I22 of the means P. The arm I53 carries a re'- traction spiral spring I 63, secured thereto at one end and secured to the bed plate at its other end. As the third elongated arm I53 reciprocates it causes rocking of the bearings I06 and I01 and consequent movement of the material C either forwardly or rearwardly and, because the rear-. ward movement is but momentary, the lug I32 is to control operation of the means G, L, M, N,

and P, includes a sliding bolt I extending sub-, stantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the drum body and carried by this body and projecting from the ends thereof as may be appreciated from Fig. 10. One end portion I66 of the bolt is adapted to slide into and out of a socket I61 in the gear wheel I28 and when the portion I66 is within the socket I61 the drum body I25 will rotate with the gear wheel I28 but when it is free of the socket, the drum body will not rotate even while the gear wheel I28 is rotating. (The teeth of wheel I28 are in mesh with the teeth of gear wheel 36.) The other end portionof the bolt I65 is provided with a flanged head I68 extending outwardly of theouter end. wall Ia of the body I25, with a collar I69 extending about the bolt I65 inwardly of the head. The collar I69 has an extension provided, with an opening accommodating the shaft I26. This collar is urged toward. the drum end wall I25a byan expansion spiral spring IIi) about the shaft I26 with one end bearing against the collar I69 and the other end bearing against the bracket I 21.

Adapted to engage the face III of the collar IE9 between the collar and adjacent face of the end wall I250. of the drum body is a canted arm I12 which extends upwardly and toward the controls side of the machine. When this arm is extended (as will be described) toward the shaft I26 it will engage this face III and, as the drum continues to rotate will cause the bolt I65 to be withdrawn from the socket l6! and, consequently, the drum-Q to cease rotating. Becausev the. bolt I65 is urged to extend with its portion I66 into the socket I6? by an expansion spiral spring I13, bearing at one end upon the inner face of the end wall I25a and bearing at its other end upon a shoulder of the bolt, the bolt end portion I 66 will enter the'socket when the arm I12 does not engage the collar I 69.

The canted arm IlZ extends upwardly from an elongated arm IM which may slide in a slot in the slideway I45 and extends, at its other end, to a crank or lever assembly I75 adapted to reciprocate the arm I'M.

Pivotally mounted upon the arm I'M near the slideway I45 is a keeper ['56 which, when parallel ing the arm IM, and extending toward the slideway, engages, at its free end, a wall thereof so that the .arm is held retracted (i. e., so that the canted arm I12 does not engage the collar I69) but, when the keeper H6 is pivoted to disengage its free. end from the slideway, the arm I14 is extended and the arm I12. is in position to engage the collar. Means to urge the arm I74 toward the rear (1. e., so that the arm I12 is in the last position mentioned) may be a retraction spiral spring III with one end fixed to the arm I'M and its other end secured to a fixed part of the machine, as the flange I5.

Of course, with the keeper I76 in its raised position, actuation of the canted arm I12 to actuate the bolt I65 may be manually effected by manipulating the assembly I75 to slide the arm I'M rearwardly so that the canted arm may engage the collar I69. This enables an operator to manually throw the means G, L, M, N and P into operation for a selected period or, if the machine B is to'operate for an extended period, the keeper I'ifi is raised and the arm I74 extended.

Auxiliary guide means T for the material A may be provided as shown in Fig. 6 comprising a roller i813 carried slightly above the bed plate I3 between the motor 21 and means G as by an upstanding bracket I8I secured to the bed plate I3. The material A may be extended about the roller I80 as shown in Fig. 6 and come from a suitable supply, as a roll, carried, as for example, by the upper portion of the bracket I8I as shown in dots and clashes in Fig. 3.

In addition, it is preferred to provide auxiliary guide means U for the material C after it leaves the material gripping and moving mean M and before it is severed by the shearing means N and i this is shown in Fig. 7. Thisis somewhat like the retaining member 98, although the horizontal portion I is shown as substantially straight with its upstanding arms I86 secured to the bed plate, at its extreme forward end, and the material C may be threaded between the portion res and bed plate and side play is prevented by the arms I38.

In orderto change the timing of the movements of the means G, L, M, N and P, the removable lugs I29 to 32 inclusive, must be changed as to position upon the periphery of the drum and/ or length. Such changes .are well known in the art of pattern drums and pattern wheels.

Various changes in the form of the invention herein shown and. described may be made without departing from the spirit of. the inventionvor scope of the claims.

,What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for processing strip material, said strip material including a flexible strip provided with substantially rigid elements separate from and attached to the strip and extending from a face thereof in a continuous, longitudinally-extending row, said machine including means to move said strip material along its longitudinal axis; a movable knife; means to intermittently move said knife to cut through selected portions of said elements to remove portions of the elements, while leaving strip-attached portions of the cut-through elements attached to said strip; and means to remove the stripattached portions of the cut-through elements from said strip. a

2. In a machine for processing strip material, said strip material including a flexible strip provided with substantially rigid metallic elements separate from and attached to the strip and extending from a face thereof in a continuous, longitudinally-extending row, said machine including means to move said strip material along its longitudinal axis; a movable knife having a cutting edge and a bevelled face adjacent said edge; means to intermittently move said knife to cut through and loosen selected portions of said elements while leaving strip-attached portions of the cut-through elements attached to said strip; mechanical means to remove the loosened selected portions of said elements; and means to remove the strip-attached portions of the cutthrough elements from said flexible strip.

3. In a machine for processing strip material, said strip material including two flexible strips each provided with substantially rigid metallic elements separate from and attached to their strip and extending from a face thereof in a continuous, longitudinally-extending row, said machine including means to move said strip material along its longitudinal axis; a pair of mutually moving, spaced-apart and parallel knives; dual-function means to intermittently move said knives in the same direction and at the same time to cut through selected portions of said elements while leaving strip attached portions of the cutthrough elements attached to said-strips, and to dislodge cut-through portions of said elements from between said knives; and means to remove thestrip attached portions of the cut-through elements carriedby said flexible strip.

4. In a machine for processing strip material, said strip materialincluding two flexible strips each provided with removable elements separate from and attached to their strip and extending from a face thereof in a continuous, longitudiselected portions of said elements, and to dislodge cut-through portions of said elements from between said knives including an oscillating knives-carrying arm, supporting said knives, a pivot for one end portion of said arm, a rocker arm above said knives-carrying arm and provided with an offset portion and a roller carried by said offset portion and bearing upon said knivescarrying arm, a downwardly-extending member, slidably carried by said rocker arm, an oscillating arm pivoted at one end portion to the lower portion of said member and pivoted intermediateits ends to said knives-carrying arm and with its free end extending between said knives, crankshaft means operatively connected with one end portion of said rocker arm to cause rocking of said rocker arm, and an eccentric shaft operatively connected with the other end portion of said rocker arm above said offset portion; and means to cause partial back-and-forth rotation of said eccentric shaft, and means to remove the cut through elements carried by said flexible strip.

5. In a machine for processing strip material, said strip material including two flexible strips each provided with removable elements separate from and attached to their strip and extending from a face thereof in a continuous, longitudinally-extending row, said machine including means to move said stri material along its longitudinal axis; a pair of mutually moving, spacedapart and paralleling knives; dual-function means to intermittently move said knives in the same direction and at the same time to cut through selected portions of said elements, and

to dislodge cut-through portions of said elements from between said knives including an oscillating knives-carrying arm, supporting said knives, a pivot for one end portion of said arm, a rocker arm above said knives-carrying arm and provided with an offset portion and a roller carried by said offset portion with its axis of rotation normal to the longitudinal axis of said rocker arm, said roller bearing upon the upper portion of said knives-carrying arm, a downwardlyextending member, slidably carried by said rocker arm, an oscillating arm pivoted at one end portion to the lower portion of said member and pivoted intermediate its ends to said knivescarrying arm and with its free end extending between said knives, crankshaft means operatively connected with one end portion of said rocker arm to cause rocking of said rocker arm, and an eccentric shaft operatively connected with the other end portionof said rocker arm above said offset portion; and means to cause partial back-and-forth rotation of said eccentric shaft, and means to remove the cut through elements carried by said flexible strip.

6. In a machine for processing strip material, said strip material including two flexible strips each provided with removable elements separate from and attached to their strip and extending from a face thereof in a continuous, longitudinally-extending row, said machine including means to move said strip material along its longitudinal axis; a pair of mutually moving, spacedapart and paralleling knives; dual-function means to intermittently move said knives in the same direction and at the same time to cut through selected portions of said elements, and to dislodge cut-through portions of said elements from between said knives including an oscillating knives-carrying arm, supporting said knives, a pivot for one end portion of said arm, a rocker arm above said knives-carrying arm and pro- 14 vided with an offsetlportion and a roller carried by said offset portion and bearing upon said knives-carrying arm, a downwardly-extending member, slidably carried by said rocker arm, an oscillating arm pivoted at one end portion to the lower'portion of said member and pivoted intermediate its ends to said knives-carrying arm and with its free end extending between said knives, crankshaft means operatively connected with one end portion of said rocker arm to cause rocking of said rocker arm, and an eccentric shaft operatively connected with the other end portion of said rocker arm above said offset portion; and means to cause partial backand-forth rotation of said eccentric shaft; means normally urging upwardly the free end portion of said knives-carrying arm; and means toremove the out through elements carried by said flexible strip.

7. In a machine for processing strip material, said strip material including a flexible strip provided with removable metallic elements separate from and attached at one end of each to the strip and extending from a face thereof and over an edge thereof in a continuous, longitudinally-extending row, said machine including means to move said strip material along its longi-'- tudinal axis; a movable knife; means to intermittently move said knife to cut through these portions of said elements extending outwardly of said edge, leaving the remaining portions of said elements attached to said strip; guide means to guide said strip material within the path of said knife; and means to remove the portions of the cut-through elements secured to said flexible strip. i

8. In a machine for processing strip material, said strip material including a flexible strip provided with removable elements separate from and attached to the strip and extending from a face thereof in a continuous, longitudinallyextending row, said machine including means to move said strip material along its longitudinal axis; a movable knife; means to intermittently move said knife to cut through selected portions of said elements; and means to remove the cutthrough elements from said flexible strip,including a beater for beating said strip material, said beater being disposed below the path of said strip material to beat said strip material after the strip material has been acted upon, as aforesaid, by said knife.

9. In a machine for processing strip material, said strip material including a flexible strip provided with removable elements separate from and attached to the strip and extending from a face thereof in a continuous, longitudinally-extending row, said machine including means to move said strip material along its longitudinal axis; a mov able, knife; means to intermittently move said knife to out through selected portions of said elements; and means to remove the cut-through elements from said flexible strip, including a beater having a drum portion and blades extending therefrom, for beating said strip material,

said beater being disposed below the path of said strip material to beat said strip material after the strip material has been acted upon, as aforesaid, by said knife.

10. In a machine for processing strip material, said strip material including a flexible strip provided with removable elements separate from and attached to the strip and extending from a face thereof in a continuous, longitudinally-extending row, said machine including means to move 11. In a machinefor processing strip material,

said'strip material including a fieXible-stripprovided with removable elements separate from and attachedto:thestrip and extending from aface thereof in a continuous; longitudinally-extending row said machine, including means to move said ,stripzmaterial along its. longitudinal axis a movable knife; means to intermittently move said knife to cut through selected portions of said elements; means to remove the cut-through elements from said flexible-strip, including abeater rfortbeatingsaid strip'ma'terial, said beater being .d-isposedbelow the path of said'strip material'to beat said strip "material after'the strip material has-beenacted'upon, as aforesaid, by said knife;

and .path-changing means to retain out of the ,range of said beater, those portions of said strip .material still containing said-removable elements.

12. In a machine for processing strip material,

'said'strip material includinga flexible strip providedwithtremovable elements separate from and .attached to the strip andextending'from.aface :thereofin, a continuous, longitudinallyextending (row, .said 1 machine: including means :to move said strip material along itslongitudinal axis; a movable knife; means to intermittently move said knife to cut ,throughrselected portions of said elements; means to remove the cut-through elelmentsefrom said-flexible strip,'including a beater forbeating said strip material, said beater being rdisposedbelo-w the path of saidstrip materialto beat said -strip material after-the strip material has'been acted upon, as 'aforesaidby said knife,

includingan upwardly-convex plate having an upper face to receive said strip 'material and means to move said upwardly-convex plate .upwardly'when said portions of said strip material still containing unsevered removable elements ,pass over said beater.

:13. -In--a machine for processing strip material, said-strip material including afiexible stripprovided with removable elements separate from and attached tothe strip and extending'from' a face thereof in a continuous, longitudinally-extending row sa-id machine including means to move said stripmaterial along its'longitudinal' axis; a movable -knife; means to intermittently move said knife-$011113 through selected portions ,of said elements; means-to remove'the cut-through elements fromsaidilexible strip, including a beater forrbeating said strip material, said beater being ableelements; means to sever said strip atisaid areas including anoscillating knife; and means to retain said strip material taut while being sevdisposed below theipath of said stripmaterialto beat said strip material after-thestrip material has been acted upon, as aforesaid, by said knife, including an upwardly-convex platehaving an upper face to receive said strip material and a strip retaining member above said face and secured to said upwardly convex plate, whereby a space is provided between said plate and retaining'mem'ber to slidably receive saidstrip material and'means to move said upwardly-convex plate upwardly when said portions of 'saidstrip material still containing unsevered removable elements pass over said beater.

- 14. In a machine for processing'strip material, said-strip material including afiexible' strip provided with removable elements separate from and attachedato the stripand exten'dingfromaf face thereof in a continuous, longitudinally=extending :row; sai'd machine including. means to -move said strip material along its longitudinal axis; afmovable knife; jmeans to intermittentlymove said vknife; to cut. through selected portions of said elements; means to "remove thecut through elements fromsaidfiexible strip, whereby :spacedapart areas of said strip are freed of said removered by said last named knife; including apair of strip-gripping rollers, disposed one above the other, having peripheral grooves torreceive the removable elements-containing "portions of said strip material. and: peripheral portions to frictionally grip'the'flexiblestrip portions of said-strip material, said rollers being'disposed to one side of'the oscillatory path of said knife and between the last named knife and the first-named knife,

andan oscillating jawmember disposed to he other side of 'the oscillatory path of said knife and in the path of movement of said strip material, means to rotate said rollers and-oscillate said jaw'niember in unison With'the upper of said rollers rotating anti-clockwise and the lower of said rollers rotating anti-clockwise; andmeans to move one of said rollers toward the other-of said rollers.

WILLIAM R. 'MCDANIEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

iUNITED STATES PATENTS "Number Name Date 1,681,033 Freeman Aug/14,1928 2,082,408 Lyon June 1, 1937 2,111,116 Holzapfel 'Mar. 15, 1938 2,185,985 Lund Jan. 2, 1940 2,253,280 'Lormor Aug. 19, 1941 2,289,252 Dorweiler 'July 7, 1942 2,431,714 Sundstrand Dec. 2, 1947 

